Budakeszi

Up until the last third of the 19th Century, Budakeszi's economy had been dominated by agriculture. However, the grape-louse spread over the vineyards at the end of the 19th Century completely destroyed people's living. It happened at the time of the imminent millenium; thus Budakeszi residents found work at the large-scale construction projects scheduled to be completed by the time of the millenium festivities in Budapest. This time also coincided with the beginning of industrialisation in Budakeszi.
The first board of craftsmen was founded in 1919, and in 1930, 60 different trades were pursued in the village. There were 144 craftsmen in 1938, when the Nagykovácsi Board of Craftsmen joined it with 41 members.
In the 1930's Elektromos Műszaki Rt. (Electrical Technological Co.) was the largest company in Budakeszi, while the Halfer-féle Márványozó Festékgyár (Halfer Marbling Paint Manufacturer Co.) was the most famous one. The latter company was founded by bookbinder József Halfer in 1902. He worked with a method that was unique in the world. The company produced a special paint used in the bookbinding industry. It had representative offices in most European towns and exported overseas. The NATTO Shoe Polish Manufacturer also brought Budakeszi fame. As of 1923, its products were demanded in more than 200 Hungarian settlements for 14 years. Budakeszi also had food industry. One such group was the Milk Association with 279 members and 540 business shares. The company, which operated with the most modern technology of the time, sold 3,000 litres of milk every day. It also produced various diary products.